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China Discovers Unique Battery Material
Guy Youngs A newly discovered ore containing vast quantities of an element widely used in semiconductors has been found in China. The discovery could propel new advances in battery technology.
Geologists have found the rare earth metal niobium inside the new ore named niobobaotite from north China’s Inner Mongolia. The rare earth metal is widely used in alloys for jet engines and rockets and has also been shown to have exceptional current conducting properties in low temperatures.
Researchers have said batteries made from niobium have several advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries. The Brazilian Metallurgy and Mining Company (CBMM) has been working on new projects towards the use of niobium to make advanced lithium-ion batteries.
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Toyota Joins Race To Mass Produce Batteries
Toyota Motor Company is the latest automaker delving into solid-state battery technology, vowing to mass produce the safer and more energy dense cells in four years.
The Japanese automaker has recently changed its tune about building BEVs and is now claiming solid state batteries will be in vehicles starting in 2027.
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Could Toyota’s Ammonia Engine Bring the End of EVs?
The technology is the result of a collaboration of Toyota with the GAC Group, a Chinese state-owned manufacturer. The ammonia engine is a form of internal combustion engine (ICE) powered primarily by ammonia, (ammonia is comprised of a nitrogen atom and three hydrogen atoms). It does not contain carbon. As a result, when it’s burned in an ICE, it does not release carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases. In the effort to decarbonize, the potential of this type of technology is considerable.
Source: Hydrogen Fuel News: Read The Article
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XCMG To Invest US$ 55 Million in Brazil Electric Truck Plant
BRAZIL/SOUTH AMERICA REPORT
Fabio Ferraresi XCMG has signed a letter of intent to invest in Pouso Alegre, in the south of the state. XCMG also plans to invest in the creation of a research and development center in the state.
Source: Brazil Mineral Read The Article
PSR Analysis: The letter of intent reaffirms the intention of XCMG to gain market share in Brazil, not only on the Off Highway Electric Truck segment, but also in Brazil’s On Highway Truck segment they entered…
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Vehicle Production in Brazil Stagnates
During the first 10 months of 2023, Brazilian On Highway Vehicle production faced challenges, with an increase in imports of approximately 58,000 units from January to October and a simultaneous drop in exports by more than 52,000 vehicles. The outcome was a stagnation in production, as only 1,950,000 passenger cars, Minivans and SUVs, light commercial vehicles, trucks, and bus chassis were produced. This marked a decrease of 0.6%, equivalent to almost 12,000 vehicles, compared to the same period in 2022, as reported by Anfavea on Nov. 8, 2023.
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Brazilian Marcopolo OKs Fuel Cell bus in Europe
With a capacity of 53 passengers, Marcopolo’s model, the Audace Fuel Cell, is a road unit. The version of the product made in China that has been exhibited and already approved for Europe, carries the cylinders in the luggage rack. Kent Phang, the Sales Director of Allenbus, partner of Marcopolo on the FC vehicle, says there is also an option to place the hydrogen cylinders over the body. With four cylinders, the vehicle exceeds 500 kilometers, according to the company. With six cylinders it is possible to reach 900 kilometers.
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VW Announces Pickup Truck To Fight with Fiat Toro
Volkswagen has announced plans to introduce a pickup truck at its São José dos Pinhais plant in Paraná, Brazil, currently dedicated to assembling the T-Cross SUV. This new model, referred to internally as Project Udara, is part of the automaker’s €1 billion investment cycle in the country extending until 2028.
In addition to the pickup, the investment includes the development of two flex-hybrid vehicles, a new SUV, and a new engine, slated for production at the Brazilian assembly lines in São Bernardo do Campo and São Carlos.
The forthcoming pickup, larger than the existing Saveiro model produced in São Bernardo do Campo, is expected to feature a flex-fuel engine, with potential hybrid variants. Project Udara is set to be constructed on the MQB platform, and its launch is expected in early 2026.
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2023 NA Production: Graders
A Grader is a piece of heavy equipment used to level or smooth roads or other surfaces. Also referred to as a Road Grader or a Motor Grader.
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Outboard Marine Engine Market Hits $5.5 Billion
GLOBAL REPORT
The global Outboard Marine Engine Market size is estimated at $5.54 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach $8.99 billion by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period, according to research by Power Systems Research.
The COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the boat manufacturing industry and caused a decline in recreational activities worldwide, which hurt outboard motor sales. However, in 2021, the market regained momentum due to the easing of restrictions. The market is expected to register healthy growth in the coming years.
There are generally three types of boat drives including inboard, outboard, and sterndrive. One obvious distinction among them is their placement of motor in the boat.
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Kubota and Sumitomo Plan Mutual Supply of Equipment
JAPAN REPORT
Akihiro Komuro Kubota Corporation and Sumitomo Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. said they have begun discussions regarding the mutual supply of construction equipment.
Internationally, the growing demand for housing and the expected increase in construction work related to infrastructure investment and urban development, plus the increasing shortage of construction labor, are expected to create strong demand for construction equipment to improve efficiency and reduce labor requirements.
Kubota develops, manufactures, and sells small construction equipment used in urban construction, while Sumitomo Construction Machinery specializes in medium and large construction equipment used in a wide range of civil engineering and forestry work.
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